Signed
by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith and Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre on May 5, 1988

I, Marcel Lefebvre, archbishop-bishop emeritus of Tulle, along with
the members of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X, which I founded:

1. We promise always to be faithful to the Catholic Church and to the
Roman Pontiff, its supreme pastor, the vicar of Christ, successor of
blessed Peter in his primacy and head of the body of bishops.

2. We declare that we will accept the doctrine contained in No. 25 of
the Second Vatican Council's dogmatic constitution, "Lumen
Gentium" on the ecclesiastical magisterium and the adherence owed
it.

3. Regarding certain points taught by the Second Vatican Council or
concerning subsequent reforms of the liturgy and law which appear
difficult to reconcile with tradition, we commit ourselves to a positive
attitude of study and of communication with the Apostolic See, avoiding
all polemics.

4. We declare moreover that we will recognize the validity of the
sacrifice of the Mass and of the sacraments celebrated with the
intention of doing what the Church does and according to the rites in
the typical editions of the missal and rituals of the sacraments
promulgated by Popes Paul VI and John Paul II.

5. Last, we promise to respect the common discipline of the Church
and the ecclesiastical laws, particularly those contained in the Code of
Canon Law promulgated by Pope John Paul II, except for the special
discipline conceded to the fraternity by particular law.

II. Juridical Questions

Taking into consideration the fact that the Priestly Society of St.
Pius X has been formed for 18 years as a society of common life—and
based on a study of suggestions by Archbishop Lefebvre and the
conclusions of the visit made by His Eminence Cardinal Gagnon—the most
suitable canonical model is that of a society of apostolic life.

1. Society of Apostolic Life.

It is a canonically possible solution, with the advantage of the
possibility of bringing laity into the clerical society of apostolic
life (for example, coadjutor brothers).

According to the Code of Canon Law promulgated in 1983, Canons
731-746, this society has full autonomy, can form its members, can
incardinate priests and assures the common life of all its members.

In its own statutes, with flexibility and creative possibility in the
light of the known models of these societies of apostolic life, one
anticipates a certain exemption in regard to diocesan bishops (cf. Canon
591) in what concerns public worship, the 'cura animarum' and other
apostolic activities, taking into consideration Canons 679-683. As for
jurisdiction regarding the faithful who seek out the priests of the
society, it will be conferred on them by the local ordinaries or by the
Apostolic See.

2. Roman Commission.

A commission to coordinate relations among the diverse dicasteries
and the diocesan bishops as well as to resolve eventual problems and
contentions will be established by the Holy See and given the necessary
faculties to treat the above-indicated questions (for example, the
establishment at the request of the faithful of a place of worship in a
place where there is no house of the society, 'ad mentem,' Canon 383.2).

3. Condition of People Linked to the Society.

3.1 The members of the clerical society of apostolic life (priests
and coadjutor lay brothers): They are governed by the statutes of the
society of pontifical right.

3.2 Men and women oblates, with or without private vows, and members
of the Third Order linked to the society: They belong to an association
of the faithful linked to the society in terms of Canon 303, and they
collaborate with it.

3.3 The sisters (that is, the congregation founded by Archbishop
Lefebvre) who make public vows: They will constitute a true institute of
consecrated life, with its own structure and autonomy, even if one
foresees a certain link for the unity of spirituality with the superior
of the society. This congregation—at least at the beginning—will be
responsible to the Roman Commission instead of the Congregation for
Religious.

3.4 Members of communities living by the rule of diverse religious
institutes (Carmelites, Benedictines, Dominicans, etc.) and morally
linked with the society: It is fitting to accord them, case by case, a
particular status regulating their relations with their respective
order.

3.5 Priests who as individuals are morally linked with the fraternity
will receive a personal status, taking into account their aspirations,
and, at the same time, the obligations resulting from their
incardination. Other particular cases of this kind will be examined and
resolved by the Roman commission.

In what concerns lay people who seek the pastoral help of the
society's communities: They remain under the jurisdiction of the
diocesan bishops but—notably for the liturgical rites of the society's
communities—can look to these communities for the administration of
the sacraments (for the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and
marriage, notification of their own parish remains necessary; canons
878, 896, 1122).

Note

: There is reason to consider the particular
complexity:

1. Of the question of the reception by the laity of the sacraments of
baptism, confirmation, marriage, in the communities of the society.

2. Of the question of communities practicing—without being
connected to them—the rule of this or that religious institute.

It is for the Roman commission to resolve these items.

4. Ordinations.

For ordinations, it is necessary to distinguish two phases:

4.1 Immediately: For the ordinations planned shortly, Archbishop
Lefebvre would be authorized to confer them or, if he couldn't, another
bishop agreed to by him.

4.2 Once established, the society of apostolic life:

4.2.1 When possible, in the judgment of the Superior General, follows
the normal procedure: remitting the dimissorial letters to a bishop who
agrees to ordain members of the society.

4.2.2 Because of the particular situation of the fraternity (cf.
infra): ordination by a bishop of the society who, among other tasks,
would have that of proceeding with ordinations.

5. Problem of a Bishop.

5.1 At the doctrinal level (ecclesiological), the guarantee of
stability and maintenance of the life and activity of the society is
assured by its erection as a society of apostolic life of pontifical
right and approval of its statutes by the Holy Father.

5.2 But, for practical and psychological reasons, the consecration of
a bishop member of the society appears useful. This is why, in the
context of the doctrinal and canonical solution of the reconciliation,
we will suggest to the Holy Father that he name a bishop chosen in the
society, proposed by Archbishop Lefebvre. As a consequence of the
principle indicated above (5.1), this bishop is not normally superior
general of the society. But it would be good that he be a member of the
Roman commission.

6. Particular Problems to Resolve by Decree or Declaration.

—Lifting the 'suspensio a divinis' of Archbishop Lefebvre and
dispensing the irregularities incurred through ordinations.

—Anticipation of an "amnesty" and an agreement for the
society's houses and places of worship erected—or used—until now
without authorization by bishops.